News

  • 11/22/2022 9:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Teaching and Learning Unit of the Academic Office at the Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to keeping our stakeholders up to date on important information. Please see below for pertinent information:  


    Remote Learning Commission Report  Pursuant to Section 387 of Public Act 21-2, June Special Session (JSS), the Connecticut State Department of Education established the Connecticut Remote Learning Commission to analyze and provide recommendations concerning the provision of remote learning to public school students enrolled in grades kindergarten to 12.  The Commission as a whole compiled all information into one report to guide future discussion. Attached please find a copy of the Commission’s final report that was submitted to the Connecticut General Assembly.  If you have any questions, please contact Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi at Irene.parisi@ct.gov.  


    You may be aware that www.corestandards.org has been offline for several days. CCSSO, which manages corestandards.org, announced Nov. 16 that it has updated the web location for the Common Core standards. You can access the standards at Common Core State Standards | (ccsso.org). The standards are temporarily located on this page while CCSSO works to address technical challenges with CoreStandards.org. If you have questions, please reach out to communications@ccsso.org


    Illuminating Indigenous People, Cultures and Perspectives PD Playlist for Educators The CSDE Academic Office is working in partnership with educators, advocates and historical experts statewide to curate instructional resources to support district implementation of Native American studies. The CSDE--PD-PlaylistIlluminating-Indigenous-People-Cultures-and-Perspectives-2022.pdf  is a collection of existing resources for educators and their students to view, use and share to illuminate Indigenous People, Cultures and Perspectives to support understanding, teaching, and learning through the month. The PD Playlist is located in the Educator Learning Hub. Take time to understand the wisdom of resilient cultures through cross curricular learning opportunities. 

  • 11/15/2022 8:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is the STEM contest worth your time. Again for the 13th consecutive year, we are hosting our $2 million national competition for public schools grades 6–12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities.  Educators apply for the contest, and work with students to develop meaningful ideas that can drive real change.

    The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest is now open. Application submissions will close on November 29. Entering begins with answering 3 questions about the project you would like to work on. Go to https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/ to learn more and apply.

    If you want to learn about the contest experience from a past winner,  give a listen to the dailySTEM podcast to hear directly about the contest impact and experience. contest and how it impacted their students, and how they were impacted as teachers.

    Please consider participating. You can complete the easy application by Tuesday, November 29, at 11:59 PM EST.

  • 11/15/2022 8:24 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Hi mathematics educators!

    MTC4SJ is excited for today's workshop with Dr. Shelly Jones from CCSU on her new book (coming out next month) Engaging in Culturally Relevant Math Tasks. See below for the registration link and more information.

     11/15 Registration

    Workshop Title: Supporting Students' Math Identities Through Designing Culturally Relevant Mathematics Tasks

    Date/Time: Tuesday, November 15th, 6:30-8:00pm (EST) via Zoom

    Presenter: Dr. Shelly Jones, Central Connecticut State University

    Description: Join us for a talk by author Dr. Shelly Jones, co-author of the book, Engaging in Culturally Relevant Math Tasks: Fostering Hope in the Secondary Classroom with Drs. Lou Matthews and Yolanda Parker. The book - to be released next month - details multiple approaches for (re)designing tasks to be culturally responsive. Shelly will share one teacher’s experience with using the Revising a Task to Be Culturally Relevant Template to revise an existing task from her curriculum. We will use the template in breakout groups to revise a cognitively demanding math task, using a social justice standard!

  • 11/09/2022 7:39 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Teaching and Learning Unit of the Academic Office at the Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to keeping our stakeholders up to date on important information. Please see below for pertinent information: 

    Nominations for the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar Program 

    Please consider nominating any student in your district (public, non-public, homeschooled) who will graduate in the spring of 2023 and who intends to engage in post-secondary education. As per the guidance received from the U.S. Department of Education, you may nominate up to three students – one male and one female for the General Component, and one student (male or female) for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Component. Please see the attached letter for more information about the nomination process and selection criteria. All nomination letters must be received by Wednesday, November 16, 2022. For questions about the process, please contact Ada Kovaci-Kume by phone at 860-713-6855 or via e-mail at Ada.Kovaci-Kume@ct.gov

    Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) 

    The nomination/application cycle is now open. Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominateexceptional STEM teachers who are currently teaching grades 7-12 for the 2023 award year. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org. This is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. 

    The nomination deadline is January 9, 2023, and the application deadline is February 6, 2023, for SECONDARY 7-12.  

    10th Anniversary of Hour of Code  

    In celebration of this milestone, Code.org is awarding $10,000 to one high school and one middle school in all fifty states + D.C. to assist districts with establishing a computer science pathway. To be eligible a school must commit to: 

    • Establish a new computer science course using Code.org

    • Describe how you plan to continue expanding access to CS in your school and/or district. 

    • Provide a short statement of support from district leadership for expanding CS opportunities. 

    • Organize a school-wide Hour of Code or other event/assembly for CSEdWeek

    In addition to the $10,000 award, the implementing teacher in each winning school will receive a no-cost scholarship to attend Code.org’s Professional Learning Program. More details are available at code.org/prize

    Solar Decathlon Pathways 

    The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the launch of Solar Decathlon Pathways, a new project to encourage high school students to consider pursuing clean energy careers by connecting them to the Solar Decathlon’s extensive network of competition alumni. Alumni will work with students on activities related to the built environment and renewable energy, describe their own educational paths, and highlight career opportunities in the clean energy and high-performance buildings sector. For more information please visit their website here: https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/solar-decathlon-expands-bringing-zero-energy-programs-high-school-students-and-mid

    Linking District/School Websites to the Report Cards on EdSight  

    The Connecticut Report Cards on EdSight provide high-level, visual trends on some of the essential metrics regarding students, educators, instruction/resources, and performance. They are available for the State, and for every active district and school. Each report card has a unique website link. We encourage districts to link directly from their district/school webpages to their respective report cards. The Connecticut Report Card is an ideal report for members of the general public, including local board members, because it is a comprehensive yet relatively simple report that is also mobile friendly. To facilitate this linkage, the CSDE has whitelisted all district domains contained in Directory Manager. If there are any questions, please email the EdSight team at edsight.sde@ct.gov

    Grades K-3: Universal Screening Reading Assessments Frequently Asked Questions is Available 

    Pursuant to Section (Sec.) 10-14t(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.), the Connecticut State Department of Education has revised the Approved Menu of Research-Based Grades K-3 Universal Screening Reading Assessments for mandated use by local and regional boards of education effective July 1, 2023. These reading assessments have been approved for use by districts to identify students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, who are below proficiency in reading, and to assist in identifying, in whole or in part, students at risk for Dyslexia, as defined in Sec. 10-3d of the C.G.S., or other reading-related learning disabilities. This guidance document entitled, Grades K-3: Universal Screening Reading Assessments Frequently Asked Questions, is the first in a series of guidance documents, and serves to provide local and regional boards of education with initial guidance on the selection of approved K–3 research-based universal screening reading assessments. 

    On behalf of New Hampshire Commissioner Frank Edelblut:  Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge! 

    It is that time of year again when we prepare to spread some holiday cheer and support the Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge! The New Hampshire Department of Education is encouraging schools nationwide to participate in this worthy endeavor to create holiday cards that will be sent to soldiers overseas. We encourage you to watch this video and share it widely with the school leaders in your states, in the hopes that students throughout the country will find some time to write a short message to a soldier. This is a simple way to make a profound impact.  

    The guidelines are easy – please address the card to “Dear Warrior,” and write a holiday greeting or personal note while signing your first name and hometown. Sign the cards mutually as a group, or individually. You may write as many as you want – the sky is the limit! Cards should be no larger than an 8x11-size paper folded in half. Envelopes are not required, however, if you have one, please do not seal it or address it. The deadline to send cards is Nov. 18.  

    They should be addressed to:  

    Laura Landerman-Garber  

    Holiday Card Challenge  

    PO Box 103  

    Hollis, NH 03049 

    If using FedEx or UPS, please address to:  

    Holiday Card Challenge  

    5 Hutchings Drive, Suite 100 Unit 103  

    Hollis, NH 03049 

    Please visit Holidays Cards for our Military Challenge for more information, or email holidaycardsnh@gmail.com. Thank you for taking the time to bring smiles to our soldiers this holiday season. 

    NEW CSDE Model Curricula Model Units Connected to Defined Learning Performance Tasks   

    The CSDE in partnership with Defined Learning has curated a list of real-world, project-based learning tasks aligned to the Connecticut Model Math units for grades 6-8 now available in GoOpenCT. Districts can use the CSDE Model Curricula Model Units Connected to Defined Learning Performance Tasks quick start guide to see the alignment of model units to Define Learning Performance Tasks. Superintendents are encouraged to share this new resource for implementing project-based learning in mathematics instruction with teachers and curriculum designer

  • 11/01/2022 8:18 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    • Grades K-2 Opportunity: CSDE is seeking educators interested in serving on the grade level review teams. The deadline to express interest has been extended. All interested individuals are asked to complete this Survey by November 15, 2022 so that we can convene teams to meet the anticipated launch deadline of May 2023.

    • CCLMs first of three HS virtual sessions will be Thursday November 10, 2:45 to 4:00. Free to all CCLM Members. Topics for discussion will include (1) the new PreCalculus AP offering and (2) Aligning and Advancing Systems (the third pillar in CT's Equity in Math Ed statement). REGISTER HERE.
    • The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest is now open. Each year Samsung hosts a $2 million national competition for public schools grades 6–12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities. With the help of their teachers, students can apply to the contest and compete to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes. Go to https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/ to learn more and apply. Submit your application by Tuesday, November 29, at 11:59 PM EST, for your students to be eligible to participate.
    • Research from UW-Madison: Are you a middle school mathematics educator? UW-Madison researchers, led by Prof. Percival Matthews and Dr. Ana Stephens, are looking for math teachers, coaches, and other instructional staff who work with 6th-8th graders to fill out a brief survey. They are investigating two questions:
    1. How do math teachers use (or want to use) research evidence in their teaching?
    2. What questions, topics, and problems of practice are math educators eager to investigate?

    The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and ALL participating educators will receive a $20 Amazon or Target gift card. The hope is that these survey responses will help create a collaborative network of teachers who are interested in engaging with research around math education. Complete the survey today!

    • Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST):  The nomination/application cycle opened on August 1, 2023. Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominateexceptional STEM teachers who are currently teaching grades 7-12 for the 2023 award year. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org. The nomination deadline is January 9, 2023, and the application deadline is February 6, 2023, for SECONDARY 7-12. 
  • 10/25/2022 9:40 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) co-sponsor the Research Science Institute (RSI), a six-week program that nurtures high school scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). CEE seeks talented 11th (or the equivalent) Grade STEM Students who have a desire to complete an unforgettable research program through the RSI program.

    For more information about the application process, please visit RSI application materials at http://www.cee.org/apply-rsi.  

    Deadline to apply to RSI ’23 is December 2, 2022!

    If you have any questions, please contact Maite Ballestero, Executive Vice President, Programs & Administration, maite@cee.org.

  • 10/18/2022 7:49 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Live T³™ Webinars build on your teaching in just one hour

    October

    18

     

    T³™ Webinars provide free professional learning opportunities. This week, see how you can bring some of the Halloween season into your math classroom. This webinar will explore how to make math-o-lantern faces using functions and/or the draw menu on your TI graphing calculator.


    The webinar begins at 7 p.m. Central time.

     

    Get details and register »

  • 10/11/2022 10:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    MTC 4 Social Justice is excited to announce our 2022-23 schedule of workshops (see image below), including our kickoff workshop next week! See below for workshop information and registration link, and please share with colleagues!


     10/18 Registration


    Workshop Title: Bruce's Beach

    Date/Time: Tuesday, October 18th, 6:30-8:00pm (EST) via Zoom

    Presenters: Megan Staples, University of Connecticut; Kaitlyn Seeto, Framingham Public Schools; Toby Way, Ethel Walker School

    Description: In this session, we engage participants in a modeling problem solving task in relation to Bruce's Beach, a Manhattan Beach (LA area) property that was taken from the Bruce family through eminent domain nearly 100 years ago. We use this real situation to understand the loss of wealth to the Bruce family, and prompt a discussion about intergenerational wealth and our current disparities between white and non-white families in America today.

  • 10/06/2022 8:48 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Model Curricula Update


    Grades 6-8: Units, including newly added aligned tasks from Defined Learning can be access at GoOpenCT

    Grades 3-5: Units are being reviewed by grade level teams and the launch of these units is expected in December 2022

    Grades K-2: CSDE is seeking educators interested in serving on the grade level review teams. All interested individuals are asked to complete this Survey by October 28, 2022 so that we can convene teams in November to meet the anticipated launch deadline of May 2023.

  • 10/06/2022 8:47 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge


    It is hard to believe that it has been just over a month since we welcomed our students back. Over the summer students were encouraged to participate in the Commissioner's Summer Math Challenge. We hope that a large number of our students took advantage of this opportunity. We want to recognize schools and districts that showed exceptional participation, similar to the Governor's Reading Challenge. To do that we need data!!  Please complete the Summer Math School Reporting Form by November 4, 2022.


The ATOMIC Mission is to ensure that every Connecticut student receives world-class education in mathematics by providing vision, leadership and support to the K-16 mathematics community and by providing every teacher of mathematics the opportunity to grow professionally.

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